How to create a Custom Digital Product

This step-by-step guide will show you how to create a Custom Digital Product using Big Digital Download, and how to send the files once they’re ready.

For example, let’s say I’m a designer and I want to sell custom pet portraits. Every order is different, so I don’t have a file ready when the customer purchases. With this feature, I can send it later when it's done ✅

🛠️ Steps to create your Custom Digital Product

Let’s get started!

1. In your Shopify admin dashboard, look at the left panel and click on Apps.
2. Click on Big Digital Download.
3. Go to Digital Products.
4. Click on Create Digital Product.

📌 Now choose the Custom Digital Product option.

This type of product doesn’t need a file upfront – you’ll upload it later once it's ready for the customer.

🔗 Link your Shopify product

This step is required.

1. Under Product name, click Select a product and choose the Shopify product that represents this custom order.

✅ Once selected, the product name will automatically match the name of your Shopify product.

💬 Add a file-ready notice (optional)

Under Files not ready notice, you can write a message to your customers to let them know their files will arrive soon.
For example:

“We’ll deliver your custom artwork in a few days. Keep an eye on your inbox!”

This message will appear:

• At Thank you page
• In the confirmation email

📩 It's a great way to set clear expectations with your customers!

📤 Send the final files when they’re ready

Once your custom file is ready, follow these steps to deliver it to the customer:

1. Go to the Orders section inside the Big Digital Download app.
2. Find the order and click on Associate files to order.
3. Upload the final file(s) for that specific order.
4. ✅ Check the box "Send the updated order to the customer".
5. Click on Update order files.

🎉 That’s it! The customer will receive an email with their custom digital file, ready to download.

Once someone places an order for this digital product it will show up in Apps > Big Digital Downlaod > Orders.

In there you will want to click associate files to order on the order you need to assign a file to.